Ray Whitmore AM BSc PhD DSc HonFIEAust CEng FIMM FIMinE MAusIMM FInstP SFInstE, was Professor of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Queensland, 1967-1985. He made notable contributions in a wide range of disciplines: in radar development; medical research into the properties of blood and the circulation system; mining and metallurgical engineering and he was a noted Queensland historian. His contributions to professional and community organisations included important roles with Engineers Australia, Engineering Heritage Australia, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Coal Preparation Society, Brisbane and Ipswich City Council Heritage Committees, the Queensland Museum, and the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.
Through his strong interest in history, the history of engineering and engineering heritage, Ray became a driving force in forming Engineering Heritage committees, at Division, State and National level, of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. He was chair of the first committee in Queensland from 1976, and was the Chairman of the National Committee when it was formed in 1979, and remained a corresponding member until 1995.
He was a prolific researcher and produced many books and a large number of research papers.
1945
1948
Career position - Engineer, Simon-Carves Ltd, England
1948
1957
Career position - Research Fellow, Mining and Chemical Departments, Nottingham University, England
1951
1953
Career position - Research Manager, Ferodo Ltd, England
1953
1967
Career position - Senior Lecturer and Reader, Department of Mining Engineering, Nottingham University
1959
1959
Education - Doctor of Science (DSc), University of Birmingham [Diss.S1.B59 W]
1968
1968
Career event - Book Rheology of the Circulation published
1970
1973
Career position - Member, Australian Research Grants Committee
1974
1976
Career position - Dean of Engineering, University of Queensland
1979
c. 1981
Career position - First Chairman, National Panel for Engineering Heritage, General College of Engineering, Institution of Engineers Australia
1980
1980
Award - Overseas Award of Institution of Mining Engineers, London
1984
c. 1986
Career position - First Chairman, National Committee on Engineering in Mining, Institution of Engineers Australia
1986
1990
Career position - Councillor, Royal Historical Society of Queensland
1988
1988
Award - Honorary Fellow (Hon.FIEAust), Institution of Engineers, Australia - for conspicuous service to the profession, and for unequalled knowledge of engineering heritage in Australia
1992
1995
Career position - Member, Queensland Heritage Council
10 June 1994
10 June 1994
Award - Member of the Order of Australia (AM) - for service to mining and metallurgical engineering and to engineering history, heritage and industrial archaeology.
2003
2003
Award - Fellow, Royal Historical Society of Queensland
2005
2005
Award - John Monash medal for Engineering Heritage, Engineers Australia.